The dreaded day has come where I have to begin saying my goodbyes to my colleagues, friends, and the city I love. Words cannot express how thankful I feel to have received this opportunity to study abroad in Paris. A part of me feels as if it was only yesterday that I arrived in Paris, with my two suitcases in hand. Now, the suitcases are packed once again. But I’m bringing home something more special than Parisian clothes; memories.
I’m lost for words on how to describe my “transition” process back to the United States. Of course, I’m happy that I will be returning (to an extent) so that I can see my friends and family. But a part of me feels as if I’m being severed off, and that it will remain in Paris. I have created a life here, made friends, and even have a list of favorite restaurants that I frequent now. In two days this reality will crumble. La vie “quotidienne” will change once more and I will have to readjust to life back in good old Minnesota. I have similar sentiments of this life that I’ll have back home as I did before arriving in Paris.
A part of me feels as if it is unreal that I am returning back “home”. It won’t hit me that I have truly returned until I land in the United States. Then, I will realize that this adventure has come to an end. During our pre-departure session, we talked about this re-adjustment period back in the States. One of my classmates recommended exploring our hometowns, just like we did in Paris, in hopes of gaining of fresh perspective. This summer, I hope to do just that. As much as I might complain about Minnesota, there are still areas that I have not seen and would like to explore in the land of 10,000 lakes. I also hope to continue my adventures outside of Minnesota and visit some of the friends I made here in Paris. Whatever happens in the summer, and in the future, I know that this experience in Paris has shaped me.
I want to thank everyone who has been reading my blog posts, typos and all. I appreciated the conversations that were made because of the blog posts, and the opportunity it gave me to share my journey and experiences of studying abroad in the city of lights, Paris France. I am going to leave you all with a favorite quote of mine from my favorite movie Sabrina (1954) when she writes her final letter in Paris to her father. “I have learnt how to live… How to be "In” the world and “Of” the world, and not just to stand aside and watch".
Until we meet again, Sabrina Kennelly
Sabrina Kennelly
<div>Hello!</div>
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<div> My name is Sabrina Kennelly. Currently, I am majoring in French and Communication Studies with a certificate in International Journalism. My interests include journalism, learning foreign languages, communication studies, social media, photography, and of course traveling! </div>
